Find Your Purpose

Dear HardyHikers,

Without a purpose, you're adrift in an endless sea of mediocrity. Let's cut the crap, a lack of purpose is a one-way ticket to a life of inaction and complacency. You think you're living? You're merely existing, and that's unacceptable.

In this article, we're going to dive deep into the concept of purpose. What it is, why it matters, and most importantly, how you can dig deep and find yours. Brace yourself for a no-nonsense guide that's going to shake you out of your stupor and set you on a path to true fulfillment.

You see, drifting through life without direction is a surefire way to end up nowhere. Purpose is the fuel that drives action. It's what separates the lions from the sheep. If you're not chasing your purpose, you're wasting your potential. Plain and simple.

By the end of this read, you'll not only understand what purpose is, but you'll also have a solid plan to discover yours and unleash the unstoppable force within you. Remember, the world doesn't owe you anything. It's time to wake up, find your purpose, and claim the life you were meant to live. Let's get to work.

 

Scientific Perspectives on Purpose.

 

Alright, time to cut through the fluff and get down to business. If you're still with me, good. Let's talk about the scientific perspectives on purpose, and why they matter.

 

Evolutionary Purpose

Evolutionary purpose can be found by looking at what is actually hardwired into your DNA. According to evolutionary theory, purpose is a byproduct of natural selection. Richard Dawkins, one of the heavyweights in this field, pointed out that organisms adapt to their environments to ensure survival and reproduction. In plain English, you're built to find a reason to thrive. Sitting around aimlessly? That’s you going against millions of years of evolution.

You're not just here in this world to occupy space. You're here to dominate, to adapt, and to overcome. If you’re not evolving, you’re devolving. Every single day you spend without a clear purpose is a step backward in the grand game of life.

Neurobiological Purpose

Next, let’s talk about your brain, your body's command center. Research by Kringelbach and Berridge in 2013 shows that your brain's reward system is responsible for motivating behavior. This isn't some abstract notion, it’s biology. When you pursue something meaningful, your brain rewards you. Dopamine floods your system, which makes you feel good and unstoppable.

But guess what? If you waste your time on meaningless crap, you’re depriving your brain of the rewards it craves. Purpose isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a biological necessity. It’s the fuel that propels you forward, the spark that ignites your inner fire. 

Purpose and Well-being

Now, if you need more convincing, let’s look at the link between purpose and well-being. Studies by King in 2013 and Steger in 2011 have shown that having a sense of purpose in life is directly linked to better mental and physical health, increased life satisfaction, and even longevity. They claim that purpose isn't just about feeling good. It's about living longer, healthier, and more satisfied lives.

Do you want to live longer? You want to wake up each day feeling like you’re ready to take on the world? Then find your purpose. It’s not just a motivational slogan, it’s a scientific fact. Purpose is your ticket to a life that’s not just lived, but truly enjoyed.

 

Psychological Perspectives on Purpose

The psychological perspectives on purpose is about understanding the deep, primal needs that drive you as a human being. Let’s get into it.

 

Self-Determination Theory

According to Deci and Ryan (2000), purpose is a fundamental human need. Yeah, a fundamental need. It’s up there with food, water, and air. And to fulfill this need, you need autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Autonomy means you need to feel in control of your own life. If you’re letting others dictate your path, you’re never going to find your true purpose. Competence means you need to feel effective in your activities. Are you good at what you do? Are you constantly improving? If not, you’re wasting your potential. Relatedness means you need to feel connected to others. Purpose isn’t a solo mission, it’s about being part of something bigger than yourself.

So, if you’re feeling lost, take a look at these three areas. Are you in control of your life? Are you getting better at what you do? Are you connected to a larger community? If not, it’s time to make some changes.

Meaning-Making

According to Heintz (2014), people create meaning in their lives through purpose. This isn’t some abstract concept. It’s influenced by your personality, life experiences, and social norms. In other words, your purpose isn’t just handed to you on a silver platter. You have to create it.

Your personality plays a huge role. Are you naturally curious? Are you driven? Are you compassionate? These traits will guide you toward your purpose. Your life experiences also shape your purpose. What challenges have you overcome? What lessons have you learned? These experiences are the building blocks of your purpose.

And don’t forget about social norms. What does your culture value? What does your community need? Purpose isn’t just about you, it’s about how you fit into the larger picture. So, start thinking about how your unique combination of personality, experiences, and social context can guide you toward your purpose.

Purpose and Identity

Finally, let’s talk about purpose and identity. According to Kashdan and Ciarrochi (2013), purpose is an integral part of your identity. It influences your self-concept, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Without purpose, your identity is incomplete. You’re just a shell, a hollow version of what you could be.

Your self-concept is how you see yourself.Your self-esteem is how you value yourself. Without purpose, you’re always going to feel like something is missing, like you’re not living up to your potential. And your overall well-being? Let’s just say that without purpose, you’re never going to be truly happy.

So, finding your purpose isn’t just about achieving external success. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself. It’s about building an identity that you can be proud of. It’s about waking up every day with a sense of direction and a fire in your belly.

 

 

Philosophical Perspectives on Purpose

It's time to bring in the big guns. Philosophy. This isn't just about theory, it's about arming yourself with the knowledge to take charge of your life.

Existentialism

Ever heard of Jean-Paul Sartre or Martin Heidegger? These guys weren't just sitting around pondering the meaning of life for fun. They came up with some profound ideas that have shaped the way we view the world. They argued that purpose is a human construct. Sartre said, "Man is condemned to be free." That means it's on you to take responsibility for your life and carve out your own meaning. No excuses.

Heidegger took it a step further, talking about "being-toward-death." No, this isn't some morbid fascination with dying. It's about recognizing that your time here is limited. Knowing that should light a fire under your ass. Every day you waste is a day you don't get back.

Teleology

Aristotle believed that purpose is inherent in the natural world. He saw organisms striving towards a predetermined goal or end. Now, before you think this contradicts existentialism, let's break it down. Teleology suggests that you have an innate potential, a natural direction your life can take. But it’s not just going to happen on its own. You need to strive for it.

Think of it like this. You're a seed. You have the potential to become a mighty oak, but only if you put in the work. You need to plant yourself in fertile ground, nourish yourself, and push through the dirt to reach the sunlight. Your predetermined goal is to become the best version of yourself, but you have to actively work towards it every day.

Nihilism

Friedrich Nietzsche argued that purpose is an illusion and life is ultimately meaningless. Harsh? Maybe. But there’s a lesson here. If life has no inherent meaning, then you're free to create your own. This isn't a reason to throw in the towel, it's a challenge to rise above.

Nihilism can be liberating if you look at it the right way. If nothing matters inherently, then everything you do can matter as much as you want it to. It’s a blank canvas. You have the power to paint it with your own purpose. Don’t let the nihilistic perspective drag you down. Use it as fuel to take control and define your own meaning.

 

Do you see a trend?

We've tackled the scientific and philosophical angles, now let's tie it all together and look at the big picture. You need to understand that pursuing purpose isn't just some motivational fluff, it's embedded in our very being. Our bodies, brains, and minds are all screaming at us to find and follow our purpose.

The Biological Imperative

Do you see a trend here? Our evolution has hardwired us to experience positive emotions when we pursue purpose. This isn't just a coincidence, it's a survival mechanism. Your brain rewards you with dopamine, the feel-good chemical, when you’re on the right path. This manifests as better mental and physical health, life satisfaction, and even longevity. Your very biology wants you to pursue purpose. Ignoring this is like fighting against your own nature.

When you pursue something meaningful, your body and mind align. You feel more energetic, more resilient, and more alive. Your body is designed to thrive when you’re chasing something that matters. 

Sound Body, Sound Mind

There's a reason why the saying "sound body, sound mind" exists. Our biology directly affects our thoughts and how we view the world. When you have a purpose, you experience a sense of meaning that can transform your personality and boost your self-esteem. Think about environmental activists or social justice warriors. They have a cause, a reason to get up every morning, and it shapes their entire identity.

Finding purpose is also closely linked to autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When you’re in control of your life (autonomy), getting better at what you do (competence), and feeling connected to others (relatedness), you’re hitting the trifecta of human needs. This is why so many people experience a flow state when working on something they find purposeful. Everything clicks. Time flies. You’re in the zone.

This isn't just psychological mumbo-jumbo. It's backed by research and real-life examples. When you find your purpose, you tap into a state of being that enhances every aspect of your life. 

Philosophical Clarity

Philosophically, it's clear that having a purpose is important. We've looked at existentialism, teleology, and even nihilism, and they all point to one thing: it's up to us to define our purpose. No one else can do it for you. Not your parents, not your friends, not society. It's on you.

You have the freedom and responsibility to carve out your own meaning in life. A lot of people view this as a burden (why are you not giving me all the answers?!) You need to view it as an opportunity. You get to decide what matters to you. You get to choose your path. That’s powerful. Don’t squander it.

 

How to find purpose

How do you find your purpose? It's simple really. You pursue what's meaningful to you. Purpose isn't some elusive concept reserved for the chosen few. It's something you feel when you have a goal that's valuable to you, and you're actively working to achieve it.

Let me break it down for you. You find purpose by setting goals that matter to you and then going after them like your life depends on it. The type of goal doesn't matter, what matters is that it holds value to you. Whether it's hitting a specific monetary target, getting that promotion, launching a business, helping your child overcome a struggle, fixing your marriage, or supporting your family. It's all fair game, as long as it's something you really want.

I became a new man when I realized this. I took a long, hard look in the mirror and asked myself who I wanted to be. And you know what I saw? Someone reliable. Someone who takes responsibility. Someone who gets things done. Someone who lives with integrity and always does the right thing. In other words, someone I would want to have in my corner. So that's who I decided to become. That became my goal, and pursuing it is my purpose.

Now, I find meaning, motivation, and joy in being disciplined about pursuing my goals. I'm living up to my potential, and you know what? People are starting to notice. I'm becoming the kind of man that people want to have in their corner. That's purpose to me.

The great part about all this is that meaningful goals aren't static. They change, they evolve, the get achieved. The world is constantly in motion and it's constantly changing. So should your goals as you eventually will achieve them. Once one goal is reached, aim for a new one. A bigger one. A better one. A goal that's valuable to you.

So, stop waiting for purpose to find you. Get out there and define it for yourself. Set goals that matter to you, and then go after them with everything you've got. Your purpose is waiting for you to claim it. Don't let it slip away.